Board game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus comprising a game board having an elongated groove formed therein, a pointer pivotally mounted on the board, position indicators on the board adjacent the groove, and corresponding indicia positioned around the pointer. The groove has a bottom which is wider than the opening formed in the surface of the board allowing a game piece to be inserted only at an end of the groove and moved therealong for removal at the other end of the groove. The game piece is recessed in the groove such that a deliberate act is required to move the game piece through the groove.

United States Patent Williams, Jr. et al.

[ 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] BOARD GAME APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Leon Williams, Jr.; William Gerbetz, both of 3414 Tribune Drive, Apt. 134, Dallas, Tex. 75224 221 Filed: Feb. 4, 1970 [21 Appl.No.: 8,495

1,209,373 12/1916 Zarker ..273/l34E 2,350,031 5/1944 l-lagan..... 3,494,619 2/1970 Biegonis.....

[57] ABSTRACT A game apparatus comprising a game board having an elongated groove formed therein, a pointer pivotally mounted on the board, position indicators on the board adjacent the groove, and corresponding indicia positioned around the pointer. The groove has a bottom. which is wider than the opening fomied in the surface of the board allowing a game piece to be inserted only at an end of the groove and moved therealong for removal at the other end of the groove. The game piece is recessed in the groove such that a deliberate act is required to move the game piece through the groove.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BOARD GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Educational toys have been heretofore devised to develop the ability of children to identify numerals and letters and to develop perception of size, shape and color by matching or associating symbols.

Most educational toys heretofore developed have been of the puzzle type for use primarily by a single individual. Puzzletype educational toys are relatively expensive and usually require use under the supervision of an adult if maximum effectiveness is to be realized.

Educational toys designed to develop perception and the ability to identify symbols rarely employ sufficient variety of physical activity to hold the interest of an individual for an extended period of time. Educational toys rarely appeal to and develop the competitive spirit of a child.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION We have developed an educational toy which incorporates motion, develops perception and coordination and appeals to and develops competitive spirit of a child.

The educational toy which we have developed comprises a game board having a groove or guideway formed therein through which a game piece may be moved. A pointer is rotatably secured to the board such that the pointer may be rotated and allowed to stop adjacent indicia positioned on the board adjacent the pointer. The game piece may then be inserted into the groove and moved to a position indicator which corresponds to the indicia designated by the pointer. The indicia and position indicators may assume the form of corresponding numerals, letters, colored objects, shaped objects such as geometrical figures, or symbols of varying size, or a combination thereof.

The groove through which the game piece is moved preferably has a cross-sectioned area which is downwardly diverging such that a game piece, inserted into the groove, because of the shape of the groove is restricted against vertical movement.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an educational toy for use by a group of individuals which requires little or no supervision of an adult, to develop perception in the child while appealing to the basic competitive nature of the group.

A further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy having a guideway formed therein shaped to prevent insertion of the game piece thereinto from a location other than the starting point at one end of the guideway.

A further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy having a groove formed therein shaped to prevent removal of a game piece from the groove except at the end of the groove.

A further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy which requires a combination of physical and mental activity while teaching children to share and abide by simple rules.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an educational toy which is of strong durable construction capable of withstanding rough treatment without damage thereto.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon referring to the detailed description hereinafter following and to the drawings annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention are annexed hereto so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the game board;

FIG. II is a top plan view of the game board with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. III is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line III-III of FIG. II, illustrating details of construction of the starting position at one end of the guide groove;

FIG. IV is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substan tially along line IV--IV of FIG. II;

FIG. V is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line VV of FIG. IV;

FIG. VI is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of FIG. II.

Reference numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, numeral I generally designates a game board having guide means, such as a groove 2, formed therein along which a game piece 4 is moveable.

Position indicators 6 are disposed along the length of guide groove 2 to designate specific positions therealong.

Suitable means, such as pointer 8, rotatably secured to the board 1 by anchor member 10, are provided to designate a specific position indicator.

Indicia 12 are positioned adjacent pointer 8, said indicia 12 corresponding to position indicators 6. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, indicia I2 and position indicators 6 represent numerals. However, it should be readily apparent that the numerals may be replaced by any suitable symbol such as letters, or figures of different sizes, shapes or colors. While indicia 12 are arranged sequentially in ascending order in FIG. I of the drawing, it should be readily apparent that said indicia may be arranged in a different order from that of position indicators 6 and if it is deemed expedient to do so, individual indicia I2 may be randomly positioned adjacent pointer 8.

As best illustrated in FIG. IV of the drawing, game board I is of laminated construction and comprises a first outer layer 14, an intermediate layer 16, and a second outer layer I8 bonded or otherwise secured together.

A slot 20 is formed in intermediate layer 16 and extends substantially the entire length thereof. One end of slot 20 has a substantially semicircular end portion 22 formed therein while the other end of slot 20 is open as generally indicated at 24 in FIGS. I and II ofthe drawing.

The second outer layer 18 has a slot 26 fonned therein, said slot extending substantially the entire length of the second outer layer 18. It should be noted that slot 26 in second outer layer 18 is narrower than slot 20 in the intermediate layer I6.

Means are provided for securing a game piece 4, at a starting position, in groove 2. Such means comprise a passage 28 substantially conforming to the configuration of the game piece 4, formed in the second outer layer 18 and connecting with slot 20 in the intermediate layer I6. It should be noted that the diameter of passage 28 is substantially equal to the width of slot 20 in intermediate layer 16 and the diameter is greater than the width of slot 26 formed in the second outer layer I8.

Second outer layer 18 is secured to the intermediate layer I6 such that slot 26 is positioned in overlying relation with slot 20, forming groove 2 which has a bottom having a width greater than the width of the outer opening, slot 26.

Game piece 4 may be of any desired configuration so long as the shape of game piece 4 substantially conforms with the shape of inlet passage 28. Game piece 4 has a width which is slightly less than the width of slot 20 and slightly greater than the width of slot 26. The thickness of game piece 4 is less than the depth of groove 2 causing the game piece 4 to be recessed in the board 1 relative to the outer surface of the second outer layer 18.

Pointer 8 has an aperture 30 formed therein. Anchor member 50 comprises a rivet having a head 32. The rivet extends through aperture 30 in pointer 8 and through aperture 34 in spacer 36 which is positioned between pointer 8 and second outer layer 18. The rivet extends through axially aligned apertures in layers l4, l6 and 18 of board I and the lower end of the rivet is expanded as indicated at 38 in FIG. V of the drawing. It should be readily apparent that pointer 8 is readily rotatable about anchor member 10.

We also contemplate construction of board 1 from a unitary piece of any suitable material, such as wood, and forming groove 2 therein as by routing. For forming a large quantity of identically shaped boards we contemplate use of suitable molding processes, such as injection molding.

OPERATION The operation and function of the apparatus hereinbefore described is as follows.

Simple rules may be formulated for controlling the actions of players. For example, game pieces 4 may be provided in sets of different colors, each player having a specified number of like-colored game pieces. The first player spins pointer 8 allowing the pointer to stop adjacent one of the indicia 12. The player then moves a game piece 4 through passage 28 and moves the game piece longitudinally through groove 2 until it is positioned adjacent a position indicator 6 which corresponds to indicia 12 adjacent which pointer 8 stopped. As illustrated in FIG. I of the drawing, pointer 8 stopped adjacent indicia l and game piece 4 has been moved to position adjacent the corresponding position indicator 10. The second player then spins pointer 8 and inserts a game piece into groove 2 and moves the game piece longitudinally thereof in like manner. Play continues with each player taking a turn. When a player nudges one or more game pieces 4 off of the board through end 24 of groove 2, he is allowed to keep the game pieces, The game ends when all of the game pieces have been depleted. The winning player is the individual having the greatest number of game pieces other than his own;

From the foregoing it should be readily apparent that we have developed an educational toy which incorporates action, spinning the pointer 8 and moving game pieces 4 through groove 2; which develops perception, seeing a specific indicia 12 and selecting a corresponding position indicator 6; which appeals to the competitive nature of individual members of a group of players since a means is provided for selecting a winner.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a board, having an elongated groove formed therein, a slot in the upper surface of the board communicating with the groove, said groove having a bottom which is wider than the slot, said groove further having an inner end terminating intermediate opposite ends of the board and an open outer end extending through an edge of the board; a passage through a portion of the board communicating with the inner end of said groove; a game piece adapted for insertion into the passage and movable longitudinally of the groove; position indicators on the board spaced along the length of the slot; and means on the board for designating by chance a particular position indicator.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the board is laminated and comprises a first outer layer; an intermediate layer having an elongated slot formed therein; a second outer layer having said first mentioned slot formed therein which is narrower than the width of the slot in the intermediate layer; and means to secure the first outer layer to one side of the intermediate layer and to secure the second outer layer to the other side of the intermediate layer such that the slot in the second outer layer is positioned over the slot in the intermediate layer to form the groove.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for designating a particular position indicator comprises indicia on the board, said indicia corresponding to the position indicators; a pointer; and means to moveably secure the pointer to the board so that the pointer may be moved relative to the indicia.

4. The combination called for in claim 3 wherein the pointer has an opening formed therein and the means to moveably secure thepointer to the board comprises an anchor member extending mto the opening in the pointer, said anchor member being secured to the board.

5. The combination called for in claim 4, wherein the board has an aperture formed therein and the anchor member comprises a rivet extending through said aperture, the lower end of said rivet being expanded; a head on the rivet; spacer means on the rivet, said pointer being positioned between the head and the spacer.

6. A game apparatus comprising a board; guide means on the board; position indicators adjacent the guide means; a game piece movable longitudinally of the guide means; means extending longitudinally of the guide means to secure the game piece against vertical movement relative to the guide means; means at one end of the guide means to permit movement of the game piece into engagement with the guide means; means at the other end of the guide means to permit movement of the game piece out of engagement with the guide means; a pointer; means to pivotally secure the pointer to the board; indicia adjacent the pointer, at least one indicia correspondingly related to each position indicator, whereby the pointer may be moved and allowed to stop adjacent one of the indicia, and the game piece being movable into engagement with the guide means and being movable longitudinally thereof to the position indicator corresponding to the indicia adjacent which the pointer is stopped.

7. A combination game board and spinner indicator comprising an open slot formed in the board, said slot being wider interiorly than the opening thereinto; a passage communicating with the wide interior portion of the slot permitting insertion of a game piece thereinto, said slot being adapted to permit the ejection of a game piece at a position spaced from said passage; first indicia spaced along the board adjacent the slot; a pointer pivotally mounted on the board; additional indicia on the board annularly spaced about the pointer, said additional indicia corresponding to the first indicia; and at least two game pieces of substantially the width of the wider portion of the slot and being movable through the passage and slidable along the slot. 

1. A game apparatus comprising a board, having an elongated groove formed therein, a slot in the upper surface of the board communicating with the groove, said groove having a bottom which is wider than the slot, said groove further having an inner end terminating intermediate opposite ends of the board and an open outer end extending through an edge of the board; a passage through a portion of the board communicating with the inner end of said groove; a game piece adapted for insertion into the passage and movable longitudinally of the groove; position indicators on the board spaced along the length of the slot; and means on the board for designating by chance a particular position indicator.
 2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the board is laminated and comprises a first outer layer; an intermediate layer having an elongated slot formed therein; a second outer layer having said first mentioned slot formed therein which is narrower than the width of the slot in the intermediate layer; and means to secure the first outer layer to one side of the intermediate layer and to secure the second outer layer to the other side of the intermediate layer such that the slot in the second outer layer is positioned over the slot in the intermediate layer to form the groove.
 3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means for designating a particular position indicator comprises indicia on the board, said indicia corresponding to the position indicators; a pointer; and means to moveably secure the pointer to the board so that the pointer may be moved relative to the indicia.
 4. The combination called for in claim 3 wherein the pointer has an opening formed therein and the means to moveably secure the pointer to the board comprises an anchor member extending into the opening in the pointer, said anchor member being secured to the board.
 5. The combination called for in claim 4, wherein the board has an aperture formed therein and the anchor member comprises a rivet extending through said aperture, the lower end of said rivet being expanded; a head on the rivet; spacer means on the rivet, said pointer being positioned between the head and the spacer.
 6. A game apparatus comprising a board; guide means on the board; position indicators adjacent the guide means; a game piece movable longitudinally of the guide means; means extending longitudinally of the guide means to secure the game piece against vertical movement relative to the guide means; means at one end of the guide means to permit movement of the game piece into engagement with the guide means; means at the other end of the guide means to permit movement of the game piece out of engagement with the guide means; a pointer; means to pivotally secure the pointer to the board; indicia adjacent the pointer, at least one indicia correspondingly related to each position indicator, whereby the pointer may be moved and allowed to stop adjacent one of the indicia, and the game piece being movable into engagement with the guide means and being movable longitudinally thereof to the position indicator corresponding to the indicia adjacent which the pointer is stopped.
 7. A combination game board and spinner indicator comprising an open slot formed in the board, said slot being wider interiorly than the opening thereinto; a passage communicating with the wide interior portion of the slot permitting insertion of a game piece thereinto, said slot being adapted to permit the ejection of a game piece at a position spaced from said passage; first indicia spaced along the board adjacent the slot; a pointer pivotally mounted on the board; additional indicia on the board annularly spaced about the pointer, said additional indicia corresponding to the first indicia; and at least two game pieces of substantially the width of the wider portion of the slot and being movable through the passage and slidable along the slot. 